Emerald carpet manzanita (a hybrid of Arctostaphylos uva-ursi and Arctostaphylos nummularia) is an evergreen groundcover that forms a dense mat of lush dark green foliage. It has red stems and white flowers in January and February, possibly earlier, attracting hummingbirds.
This plant is drought adapted and easy to care for. It tolerates clay soils but likes a rich, well-draining and acidic soil to look its best. It prefers sun in coastal sites, with some summer water, and part shade in inland sites.